Attractions and Places To See around Cormes - Top 11

The first mentions of the Saint-Germain church in Sceaux-sur-Huisne appear in the cartulary of the Saint-Vincent abbey in Le Mans: around 1050, Bouchard de Théligny gave the Sceaux church land and a meadow located at proximity. At this time, the building, then "in bad woods", was rebuilt in stone. The nave is considered to be the oldest part of the church and dates back to the 11th century, but it is in reality difficult to date due to multiple alterations and even reconstructions. The masonry shows several repetitions and a confused assembly of elements which could come from older buildings, such as the remains of the Gallo-Roman villa which was exhumed at the end of the 19th century in the valley (small regularly cut rubble stones, debris of roof tiles). There are also traces of old openings, such as a door opening onto the priory. Although it is probable, there is no element to formally identify the Romanesque construction. The current openings are later, such as the small Gothic bay in the western wall and perhaps the south door (15th century?) and the other openings probably made around the first half of the 18th century. Significant masonry and structural work is actually mentioned in the nave in 1709. The choir and the bell tower were probably built in the first half of the 16th century, in a late Gothic style. The factory accounts mention various works in the 1530s and 1540s: roofing, construction of a ballet, stained glass window of the "grant window"... The tower was perhaps built in several stages if we rely on the changes masonry nets in the elevation. It was visibly remodeled at the end of the 16th century or the beginning of the 17th century, as indicated by the semi-circular openings, one of which was walled up. From 1570, the du Bouchets were lords of Sceaux and had their coat of arms, "azure with three rings of sand", affixed to the keystone of the chapel under the bell tower (since replaced by a flower) and on the vault paneled nave and choir. As for the windows on the north wall of the choir, they were undoubtedly open in the 18th century like those in the nave. During the Revolution, the church was seized as national property and sold to a certain René Neveu in September 1796, excluding the furniture. The two bells installed in 1719 and the fittings were handed over to the administration to be melted down. The church was returned to the town after the death of Mr. Neveu in the 1810s. The church underwent some occasional maintenance work (mainly on the roof) in the 19th and 20th centuries, but not an overall restoration. In 1831, an estimate was drawn up to enlarge the church with a chapel, in order to better accommodate all parishioners: this project was not carried out. The same year, the flag which still covers the bell tower was put up. The current sacristy (Gambert architect) was added in 1862 to replace another very dilapidated one, blocking a window now only visible from the inside. The second half of the 19th century also saw the clearing of the surroundings of the church, cluttered with lean-tos and hidden by an imposing washhouse finally moved in 1870. The last work, concerning the roofing, was carried out in 1989. The church of Sceaux-sur-Huisne has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1926.

The first part of the church, a wide and short nave (slate roof) dates from the 11th century. It shows a device marked by the use of russet and monolithic arch bays characteristic of the beginning of the 11th century. During the Renaissance a new choir was built and the Romanesque bell tower was raised. The nave received new windows, the main portal was rebuilt and the elevation of the stone bell tower began on the left annex. The interior of the church was restored in the 1990s by the Cormes Heritage Committee. Schedules Monday, Thursday & Friday: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Tuesday: 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The Romanesque nave is the oldest part of the church. The choir has a stone vault with ribbed ribs, divided into two bays, in the upper part of the main altar. The stained glass window is from the beginning of the 16th century, it represents the marriage, in 1505, of Marie de Melun and John of Bruges with, behind the two figures, Saint John and the Virgin. The Gothic style sink dates from the 16th century, with a main shelf hollowed out by two round bowls. On the sides are two columns with small carved capitals. In 1625, addition of a side nave. In the 19th century, construction of the castle chapel and the sacristy, then modification of the choir. In 1505 John of Bruges had the choir rebuilt for his wedding. The Notre-Dame de l'Assomption church dates from various periods. The church was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. Originally dependent on the bishopric of Chartres, the parish of Montmirail was only attached to the bishopric of Le Mans in 1801.

The castle of Montmirail is a striking example of the castles of the region. The good news is that you can stay there if you wish, as the castle is now open to the public as a hotel. Make it a weekend run or just appreciate its beauty as you pass by.

This door probably existed from the origin of the fortification of the city. The current building was however rebuilt, at the same time as the enclosure, around 1480. It has a function that is both ostentatious and legal. It actually served as a place of collection of the granting (tax on goods) under the Old Regime. Its monumentality and its decor express the importance given to the city at the time.

with water point and wc nearby! by bike it's always practical!